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Notes

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The function of this small box is unknown, but its small dimensions and shape seem to indicate that it was used for medicines, or perhaps to hold a miniature Qur'an. The iris was a popular subject in early nineteenth century Iran, being rendered in a number of media, including jewellery, manuscript illumination and lacquer. A fine example of the last, the doublures of a papier-mâché manuscript binding painted by Muhammad Hadi, c.1819, is in the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art (see MSS 773 in the Islamic Art section).

The Khalili Collections

London

Title

Box

Date

early 19th C

Medium

gold, translucent & painted enamel

Accession number

539

Work type

Sculpture

The Khalili Collections

London, Greater London England

View venue

Artist or maker

unknown artist

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